Adoption of modern agri methods at par with modern world, climate resilient varieties, timely sowing of crops, balanced usage of fertiliser as per agricultural experts' recommendation are prerequisite to increase agricultural yield and ensure food security.
It was echoed at the Farmers Convention arranged by the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) as part of ongoing spring festival. The session was chaired by UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Mian Nawaz Sharif Agriculture University Multan Professor Dr Rao Asif Ali, Punjab Agriculture (Research) Director General Dr Abid Mehmood, Director General Punjab Extension Dr Anjum Ali Bhuttar, UAF Faculty of Agriculture Dean Professor Dr Adus Salam, Dr Abdur Rehman, Chinese Confucius Institute UAF Dean Dr Yang Zhijiang; Dr Tahir Siddique, Dr Manzoor Ahmad and other notables also spoke on the occasion.
Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan called for applying the latest practices of agriculture as per recommendations of agricultural experts to ensure food security. He said, "We have to increase per acre production from the same land. The population of Pakistan will be doubled by 2050 which demands more food". He said that government was making all-out efforts to address the problems of the farming community and to flourish the agricultural sector. He said the Punjab government was holding a conference on agriculture soon to find the solutions to the emerging issue of the sector.
Dr Rao Asif Ali said that food security was one of the serious concerns for the country. He said that climate changes were posing a serious threat to the agricultural sector. He said that climate resilient varieties are need of hour. He stressed upon the need on the part of the experts, academia and researchers to expedite their efforts for the uplift of the agriculture sector.
DG Agriculture (Research) Dr Abid Mehmood said the disease tolerant and short term varieties are being introduced in the country. He said that the latest practices of agricultural, timely sowing and best breeds will imperative to improve the productivity. He said the country was the sixth largest producing country in sugarcane; 4th in cotton; 16th in vegetable; 7th in wheat and 13th in rice. He said that. DG Extension Dr Anjum Ali said that the kitchen gardening must be promoted across the country that will help provide the sufficient food to the people. He said extension department was doing it best to provide the training to the farmers and giving the seeds in the 36 districts of the province. Dr Abdus Salam said the UAF spring festival was meant for increasing interaction of farming community with agricultural experts, and policy makers so that their issues can be addressed.